Single-serve condiment container and associated method

ABSTRACT

A container comprises a wall and a floor. The wall has an upper rim defining an opening for receiving a foodstuff. The floor and the wall together define a chamber for containing the foodstuff. An inward fold is formed in the floor such that a portion of the floor projects into the chamber and such that a full-length crevice is defined by the floor. At least a portion of the opposing sides of the inward fold have cooperating non-planar contours, such as cooperating zigzag or serpentine contours.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/663,406, filed Jul. 28, 2017, which in turn is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/372,531, filed Aug. 9, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers for condiments such as ketchup.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is well known for “fast food” restaurants to serve food from drive-up windows to customers in vehicles. Such food often includes French fries served in cardboard containers called French fry cups or French fry scoop cups. Such French fry cups typically have four walls and a floor forming a fry-holding cavity, and an open top end. Such French fry cups typically are able to sit upright in a cup holder in the vehicle, enabling the customer to easily grasp and remove French fries from the cup to eat them, even while driving.

Many people like to eat their French fries with ketchup or other condiments, typically either dipping the French fries in the condiment or pouring the condiment on the French fries. Fast food restaurants typically serve ketchup and other condiments in single-serve plastic or foil packets. It is difficult if not impossible to dip French fries in such packets, so customers typically empty the condiment from the packet(s) onto a food wrapper or the like, and then dip their French fries into the condiment on the food wrapper. However, such a technique is not feasible (or at least not convenient) in a moving vehicle. As such, many people who prefer to eat their French fries with ketchup or another condiment nonetheless forego the condiment due to the difficulty of dipping the French fries in a moving vehicle, or may even forego buying French fries at all.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention comprise containers for foodstuffs, such as condiments. In one embodiment of the invention, a container comprises a wall and a floor. The wall has an upper rim defining an opening for receiving a foodstuff. The floor and the wall together define a chamber for containing the foodstuff. An inward fold is formed in the floor such that a portion of the floor projects into the chamber and such that a full-length crevice is defined by the floor. At least a portion of opposing sides of the inward fold have cooperating non-planar contours.

The container may further comprise a selectively removable lid affixed to the upper rim of the wall and closing off the opening when affixed. The container may further comprise a foodstuff contained in the chamber and retained in the chamber by the affixed lid.

A top edge of the inward fold may be positioned below the upper rim of the wall a sufficient distance to enable the foodstuff to readily flow over the top edge of the inward fold between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall.

A width of the crevice may be selected to enable the container to sit snugly on an upper rim of another larger foodstuff container.

At least a portion of opposing sides of the inward fold may have cooperating zigzag or serpentine contours such that at least a portion of the crevice has a zigzag or serpentine shape.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, a container comprises a wall and a floor. The wall has an upper rim defining an opening for receiving a foodstuff. The floor and the wall together define a chamber for containing the foodstuff. An inward fold is formed in the floor such that a portion of the floor projects into the chamber and such that a full-length crevice is defined by the floor. A width of the crevice is selected to enable the container to sit snugly on an upper rim of another larger foodstuff container.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, a container comprises a wall and a floor. The wall has an upper rim defining an opening for receiving a foodstuff. The floor and the wall together define a chamber for containing the foodstuff. An inward fold is formed in the floor such that a portion of the floor projects into the chamber and such that a full-length crevice is defined by the floor. A top edge of the inward fold is positioned below the upper rim of the wall a sufficient distance to enable the foodstuff to readily flow over the top edge of the inward fold between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, a method of serving a condiment comprises (a) receiving a container as described above; (b) removing the lid from the upper rim of the wall; and (c) inserting a portion of an upper rim of a French fry cup into the crevice such that the container sits on the upper rim of the French fry cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single-serve condiment container, attached to a French fry cup.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single-serve condiment container, with a lid in place, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2, with the lid removed.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a single-serve condiment container, with a lid in place, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 10, with the lid removed.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a single-serve condiment container, with a lid in place, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 12, with the lid removed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a single-serve condiment container, with a lid in place, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the single-serve condiment container of FIG. 14, with the lid removed.

FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 are, respectively, top perspective, bottom perspective, and top views of a single-serve condiment container, without a lid in place, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 are, respectively, top perspective, bottom perspective, and top views of a single-serve condiment container, without a lid in place, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of a single-serve condiment container, attached to a French fry cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “upwardly” and “downwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device, and designated parts thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a,” “an” and “the” are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning “at least one.” The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a single-serve condiment container. A condiment is an edible food substance that is used to flavor or complement some other food. Common condiments include, but are not limited to, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, salsa, etc. Ketchup is a very popular condiment served by fast food restaurants.

The condiment container of embodiments of the invention would be prefilled (typically at a factory) with ketchup or any other suitable condiment and appropriately sealed (such as with a foil or plastic peelable lid) to be shelf-stable and readily transported and stored. The filled containers would be sold to restaurants (especially fast food restaurants) and any other suitable food purveyor. The restaurants would provide the filled containers (either given away for no cost or sold) to customers as desired (either as the sole option, or possibly as one option alongside conventional packets).

As described further below, the novel structure and shape of the condiment container of embodiments of the invention provides two significant advantages over conventional condiment containers. First, the wide open top end enables French fries and other foods to be readily dipped into the condiment. Second, the narrow vertical crevice that starts in the bottom and extends upward through the center of the container enables the container to be securely affixed to the top edge of a French fry cup.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, a condiment container 10 is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates the condiment container 10 containing a condiment 34 (e.g., ketchup). The condiment container 10 is sitting on the top edge of a French fry cup 30 containing French fries 32. As seen in FIG. 1, the top edge of the French fry cup 30 is partially inserted into the container's crevice, thereby enabling the condiment container 10 to remain in place in this location that is well-suited to enable a consumer to dip the French fries 32 in the ketchup 34, especially while the French fry cup 30 is sitting in a vehicle's cup holder.

The condiment container 10 comprises a side wall 12 having a top rim 14 and a floor or bottom end 18. The side wall 12 and floor 18 define a cavity or chamber 24 for containing a condiment. The side wall 12 is tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 14 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 16 may extend from the top rim 14 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid 22 (seen in FIG. 2) affixed to the top rim 14.

The condiment container 10 of FIGS. 1-9 has an overall rectangular shape, although any other suitable shape may be used (such as square, round or oval).

Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 20 is formed in the container. The crevice is parallel to the long axis of the rectangular-shaped container. The crevice 20 starts in the bottom end 18 and extends upward through the center of the container, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The crevice 20 enables the container 10 to be securely affixed to the top edge of a French fry cup 30, as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 19 (in which the French fry cup 30 is shown in cross-section). Having the condiment container 10 “clip” or slide onto the top edge of the French fry cup enables a consumer to have the condiment readily available in a relatively secure location for dipping French fries, even while driving a vehicle.

The distance between the opposing crevice walls should be narrow to ensure a tight grip on the French fry cup. In one embodiment of the invention, the crevice is 0.040 inches wide. The walls of the crevice may be generally parallel to each other (i.e., the gap between the walls of the crevice should not vary). The surfaces (or a portion thereof) of the opposing crevice walls may be textured (e.g., bumpy, ribbed, etc.) to help the container stays affixed to the French fry cup. The walls of the crevice may be correspondingly curved (rather than straight, as illustrated) to help the container stays affixed to the French fry cup. As illustrated in FIGS. 16-18 and 19-21 and described below, the walls of the crevice may have cooperating contours to help the container stays affixed to the French fry cup.

The crevice may extend any suitable distance upward through the center of the container. However, if the crevice extends too close to the rim, then the container may be less sturdy and the opposing sides of the crevice may be prone to separating (which could cause the container to become detached from the French fry cup). Conversely, if the crevice does not extend far enough toward the rim, then the container may topple off the edge of the French fry cup as there would not be enough surface contact between the crevice walls the French fry cup and the center of gravity of the container (especially when full) may be above the top edge of the French fry cup. It may be desirable that the top edge 26 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 14 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 26 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In this regard, a single fill nozzle can readily fill the entire chamber 24 during manufacturing. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end to the rim.

The condiment container of embodiments of the invention may be any suitable size. One exemplary embodiment of the invention is about 1.7 inches long by about 1.7 inches wide by about 1.1 inches tall and would hold approximately 23 grams of ketchup, which is equal to about 2.5 conventional ketchup packets.

The condiment container of embodiments of the invention may be constructed of any suitable material or combination of materials. In one exemplary embodiment, the condiment container of embodiments of the invention is constructed of the same material as “mini creamers,” which is a multi-layer construction of high impact polystyrene (HIPS), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and high density polyethylene (HDPE). The peelable lid may be constructed of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic or foil, and may be affixed using any suitable method or mechanism.

In addition to the rectangular shape of the condiment container of FIGS. 1-9, the condiment container of embodiments of the invention may have any suitable shape, including but not limited to square, oval or round. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a condiment container 110 having a square shape. Condiment container 110 of FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises four side walls 112 having a top rim 114 and a floor or bottom end 118. The side walls 112 and floor 118 define a cavity 124 for containing a condiment. The side walls 112 are tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 114 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 116 may extend from the top rim 114 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid 122 affixed to the top rim 114. Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 120 is formed in the container. The crevice 120 starts in the bottom end 118 and extends upward through the center of the container. The top edge 126 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 114 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 126 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice 120 extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end 118 to the rim 114.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a condiment container 210 having an oval or elliptical shape. Condiment container 210 of FIGS. 12 and 13 comprises an oval side wall 212 having a top rim 214 and a floor or bottom end 218. The side wall 212 and floor 218 define a cavity 224 for containing a condiment. The side wall 212 is tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 214 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 216 may extend from the top rim 214 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid 222 affixed to the top rim 214. Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 220 is formed in the container. The crevice 220 starts in the bottom end 218 and extends upward through the center of the container. The top edge 226 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 214 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 226 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice 220 extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end 218 to the rim 214.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a condiment container 310 having a round shape. Condiment container 310 of FIGS. 14 and 15 comprises a round side wall 312 having a top rim 314 and a floor or bottom end 318. The side wall 312 and floor 318 define a cavity 324 for containing a condiment. The side wall 312 is tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 314 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 316 may extend from the top rim 314 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid 322 affixed to the top rim 314. Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 320 is formed in the container. The crevice 320 starts in the bottom end 318 and extends upward through the center of the container. The top edge 326 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 314 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 326 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice 320 extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end 318 to the rim 314.

FIGS. 2-15 illustrate embodiments in which the opposing walls that form the crevice are generally planar and generally vertical. In alternative embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the opposing walls that form the crevice may be non-planar. Also, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the opposing walls that form the crevice may be non-vertical (typically angled/sloping outward from top to bottom—forming an inverted V when viewed from the side (i.e., along the length of the crevice)).

In embodiments in which the opposing walls that form the crevice are generally planar, there is no overlap between the opposing walls. In other words, neither wall crosses the longitudinal midline of the crevice. The lack of any such overlap may not provide sufficient friction to retain the container in place on the top edge of a French fry cup. In alternative embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the opposing walls that form the crevice may be non-planar. Specifically, at least a portion of the opposing walls that form the crevice may have cooperating contours. In such embodiments, one wall may curve or otherwise project over the longitudinal midline of the crevice, while the opposing wall would cooperatingly curve away from the longitudinal midline of the crevice at the same location along the midline. In this regard, the opposing walls that form the crevice maintain a spaced-apart relationship but a desirable overlap is created that provides additional force and friction on the top edge of the French fry cup to help maintain the container in place on the top edge.

The amount of overlap can be quantified when viewing the container from the side along the length of the crevice. When there is no (0%) overlap, there is an unobstructed view through the crevice from one side of the container to the other side. If the opposing walls that form the crevice are vertical and one or both of the walls crosses the longitudinal midline, there would be no view through the crevice and a 100% overlap. If the opposing walls that form the crevice are not vertical and one or both of the walls crosses the longitudinal midline, the amount of overlap will depend on the angle of the walls and how much each wall deviates from planar toward the midline. Between 0% and 100%, the amount of overlap can be expressed as how much of the total height of the crevice does not have an unobstructed view through to the other side when viewed from the side (as measured down from the top of the crevice).

Generally, more overlap may provide more friction to hold the container in place on the French fry cup, but too much overlap may make it undesirably difficult to place the container onto the top edge of the French fry cup. The amount of overlap and the cooperating contours of the crevice walls work together to provide the desired amount of friction, thus some amount of experimentation may be necessary to determine the desired amount of overlap for specific crevice wall contours. In the embodiment of FIGS. 19-21 (described below), an overlap of between about 25% and about 40% is believed to be desirable.

In the simplest such alternative embodiment (not illustrated), one wall of the crevice is convex and one wall is cooperatingly concave. FIGS. 16-18 and FIGS. 19-21 illustrate two more complex such embodiments.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate another condiment container 410 having a rectangular shape. Condiment container 410 of FIGS. 16-18 comprises four side walls 412 having a top rim 414 and a floor or bottom end 418. The side walls 412 and floor 418 define a cavity 424 for containing a condiment. The side walls 412 are tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 414 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 416 may extend from the top rim 414 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid (not illustrated) affixed to the top rim 414. Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 420 is formed in the container. The crevice 420 starts in the bottom end 418 and extends upward through the center of the container. The top edge 426 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 414 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 426 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice 420 extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end 418 to the rim 414. Also notably, at least a portion of the opposing sides of the crevice 420 have cooperating zigzag contours such that at least a portion of the crevice 420 has an overall zigzag shape. The zigzag shape of the crevice 420 provides several points of tighter contact with the French fry cup, thereby helping the container 410 to remain more securely in place on the French fry cup. Any of the container shapes (rectangle, square, oval, round) may optionally comprise a zigzag shaped crevice.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate another condiment container 510 having a square shape. Condiment container 510 of FIGS. 19-21 comprises four side walls 512 having a top rim 514 and a floor or bottom end 518. The side walls 512 and floor 518 define a cavity 524 for containing a condiment. The side walls 512 are tapered or sloped/angled inward from the top to the bottom, although such a taper is optional. The top rim 514 defines an open top end for filling the container and accessing the condiment within the container. A tab 516 may extend from the top rim 514 to enable a user to more easily remove a peelable lid (not illustrated) affixed to the top rim 514. Notably, a narrow vertical crevice 520 is formed in the container. The crevice 520 starts in the bottom end 518 and extends upward through the center of the container. The top edge 526 of the crevice is far enough below the top rim 514 to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge 526 between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall. In the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the crevice 520 extends about ⅗ of the way from the bottom end 518 to the rim 514. Also notably, at least a portion of the opposing sides of the crevice 520 have cooperating curved contours such that the crevice 520 has an overall serpentine shape. The serpentine shape of the crevice 520 provides several points of tighter contact with the French fry cup, thereby helping the container 510 to remain more securely in place on the French fry cup. Any of the container shapes (rectangle, square, oval, round) may optionally comprise a serpentine shaped crevice.

The zigzag shaped crevice of container 410 has tighter, sharper contours, while the serpentine shaped crevice of container 510 has wider, gentler contours. Such contoured crevices may have any suitable number of projections back-and-forth across the longitudinal midline of the crevice.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A method of serving a condiment, the method comprising: (a) receiving a container comprising: a wall having an upper rim defining an opening; a floor, the floor and the wall together defining a chamber; a selectively removable lid affixed to the upper rim of the wall and closing off the opening when affixed; and a condiment contained in the chamber and retained in the chamber by the lid when affixed; wherein an inward fold is formed in the floor such that a portion of the floor projects into the chamber and such that a full-length crevice is defined by the floor; (b) removing the lid from the upper rim of the wall; and (c) inserting a portion of an upper rim of a French fry cup into the crevice such that the container sits on the upper rim of the French fry cup.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a top edge of the inward fold of the container is positioned below the upper rim of the wall a sufficient distance to enable the condiment to readily flow over the top edge of the inward fold between a first side of the chamber and a second side of the chamber without overflowing the upper rim of the wall.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a width of the crevice is selected to enable the container to sit snugly on the upper rim of the French fry cup.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of opposing sides of the inward fold have cooperating non-planar contours.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of opposing sides of the inward fold have cooperating zigzag or serpentine contours such that at least a portion of the crevice has a zigzag or serpentine shape. 